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VIDEO: Hubert Middle's got talent

Nanika Pollard, a fourth-year teacher with two degrees in performing arts, was the winner of the Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools talent show last month.

Sixth-graders in Nanika Pollard’s English and language arts classes at Hubert Middle School get lessons in reading, writing and rhythm and blues.

“It helps to loosen things up,” Pollard said. “I might speak in a different dialect or break out in song to keep their attention.”

Pollard, a fourth-year teacher with two degrees in performing arts, won the Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools talent show last month. She uses her theatrical and musical talents to bring resonance to reading selections and to make persuasive essays pop.

Pollard’s paternal side of the family is musical, and her mother taught for 33 years. Her career path seems like a reflection of her background. The Juliette, Ga., native pursued a music career after college and met her husband, a spoken word performer, when she was performing with the group SoulDisiac in Macon.

She later decided to use her talents in the classroom and enrolled in the Georgia Teacher Alternative Preparation Program to complete her teaching credentials.

Then, last month she kicked off her sensible shoes and put down her dry erase pen for the Savannah-Chatham Stars teacher talent show. Pollard sang a jazzy version of “Summertime,” from “Porgy and Bess,” and wowed the crowd.

“I love to sing,” she said. “And I try to make every lesson like a performance.”